Warning: this is a HUGE post. i don't use the word "recap" lightly here...or do i? what.does.that.even.mean?!
Christmas this year was DIY city. If i COULD make something instead of buy then i SHOULD right? I guess that was my motto and having a child didn't deter me at all. Here was my list: 1.stuffed animals(humans?) for all the t-cousins 2.DIY fireplace cover/cushion for my parents house (because we were DONE with the nights of a thousand comforters thing in the living room) 3.race themed DIY sweatshirt for the SIL (woot-woot Disney half-marathon) 4.completely take advantage of the fact that its emily's first chirstmas soooo lots of frame pictures of her for the g²-parents. This reasonably took up 1/2 of november and all of december PLUS resulted in what looked like an explosion in my "studio". |
| Number 1: Stuffed Action Figures + Rattle This was so fun! I have to admit that when it came to head attachment i'd give myself a C- but it was passable for my niece and nephews. I asked their mom what their favorites were and was able to recreate them just using felt and stuffing. The hot glue gun was my best friend for the tangled girl- her long locks and huge eyes were all precisely attached with that wonder worker. The rattle was loosely based off of this pin which was WAY cuter than my dinosaur in the shape of a J thing. |
Number 2: The Baby Protecter 3000
This was BY FAR the most....time consuming? no. TEDIOUS! I was so excited about this surprise gift i came up with the idea MONTHS in advance. I did some stealth recon work- aka: measuring when the coast was clear. I think the whole thing cost more than i was anticipating since foam is actually quite the pretty penny when it comes down to it. I purchased mine at PA fabric for maybe 60? its been awhile so i can't remember. THEY LOVED IT! and actually this lil' beauty can still be seen sans grandkids YEAR ROUND! (actually i was just there for easter and i think they took it down but i digress)
This was BY FAR the most....time consuming? no. TEDIOUS! I was so excited about this surprise gift i came up with the idea MONTHS in advance. I did some stealth recon work- aka: measuring when the coast was clear. I think the whole thing cost more than i was anticipating since foam is actually quite the pretty penny when it comes down to it. I purchased mine at PA fabric for maybe 60? its been awhile so i can't remember. THEY LOVED IT! and actually this lil' beauty can still be seen sans grandkids YEAR ROUND! (actually i was just there for easter and i think they took it down but i digress)
Number 3: frames on frames mania
I call these chalkboard things perusing through Michaels and i just HAD TO HAVE 'EM! Add a little festive saying in white charcoal pencil, a couple bows, pretty ribbon, and pointy leaves...WAH-LA! Christmas picture display- OH YEAH! Doesn't Emily have the most darling time taking professional photos? Shes a natural, i know.
I call these chalkboard things perusing through Michaels and i just HAD TO HAVE 'EM! Add a little festive saying in white charcoal pencil, a couple bows, pretty ribbon, and pointy leaves...WAH-LA! Christmas picture display- OH YEAH! Doesn't Emily have the most darling time taking professional photos? Shes a natural, i know.
Number 4: race swag for stephy
My sister-in-law is amazing. She runs. That means she already is more healthy and active then i will ever be but in ADDITION to just running she challenges herself. I mean, half-marathon? no sweat right? oh, theres a 5k the day before? sure! sign me up. Wait, its all at disney (the greatest place on earth) and i'll be walking around all day in the parks after? She's all "sounds like a vacation" and i'm all (jaw-drops-to-floor) impressed.
Anyway, we went and she rocked it and we had a totally fun trip. She btw loved the sweatshirt i mean her too. (plus the long sleeve gray shirt too)
I was excited to do this because i saw this pin a while ago and was like THATS FOR ME! and having gone through the process and learned a bit, can now say i would do it again.
My sister-in-law is amazing. She runs. That means she already is more healthy and active then i will ever be but in ADDITION to just running she challenges herself. I mean, half-marathon? no sweat right? oh, theres a 5k the day before? sure! sign me up. Wait, its all at disney (the greatest place on earth) and i'll be walking around all day in the parks after? She's all "sounds like a vacation" and i'm all (jaw-drops-to-floor) impressed.
Anyway, we went and she rocked it and we had a totally fun trip. She btw loved the sweatshirt i mean her too. (plus the long sleeve gray shirt too)
I was excited to do this because i saw this pin a while ago and was like THATS FOR ME! and having gone through the process and learned a bit, can now say i would do it again.
So christmas this year was pretty great. Emily loved it and was spoiled (naturally) and i got to satisfy my need to create. Did we save money this way? i'd like to think so but who knows. Anyway, everyone loves a homemade present from the heart, right? |